Threats to seagrasses

• Excess coastal sediment and fertilizer discharge from irresponsible urban and agricultural development are a serious problem, since they cause: increased water turbidity and reduced light penetration, which impedes the seagrass’ photosynthetic capabilities.

Algal blooms (a sudden rapid growth of a specific type of algae).

• Urban development and some land-based human ac vi es can cause excess sediment and nutrient runoff in coastal areas. As a result, water turbidity increases and light penetra on is reduced. This leads to a reduc on in photosynthe c ac vi es in primary producers that inhabit the marine bo om such as seagrasses.

• Fer lizers and pes cides used in some land-based ac vi es can get to coastal waters during rain events. Excess nutrients can provoke algae blooms. If the algae taking advantage of these nutrients are toxic algae, it can cause death to the many marine organisms that consume them. For instance, red des are the result of excessive prolifera on of a toxic dinoflagellate that kill any fish that consume it.

• Furthermore, rainwater runoff from residen al, agricultural or industrial ac vi es can contain contaminants that can harm marine ecosystem health.